Audi Q3 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 240 owner complaints and 19 safety recalls on file for the Audi Q3, across 13 model years (2008–2026). The 2020 model year has the most complaints (66). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Audi Q3 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Q3 year: 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Audi Q3 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 64 | 11 | 3 |
| Engine | 57 | 12 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 33 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 21 | 8 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 16 | 7 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| Power Train | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | 7 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 11 | 7 | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Tires | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Wheels | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Equipment | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Audi Q3 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q3 | 5 | 1 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | |
| 2025 Q3 | 4 | 1 | 5★ | Electrical System | |
| 2024 Q3 | 18 | 2 | 5★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2023 Q3 | 2 | 1 | — | Engine | |
| 2022 Q3 | 34 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2021 Q3 | 15 | 3 | 5★ | Fuel/propulsion System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2020 Q3 | 66 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2019 Q3 | 10 | 4 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2018 Q3 | 26 | 1 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 Q3 | 8 | 3 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2016 Q3 | 28 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Q3 | 23 | 2 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2008 Q3 | 1 | 0 | — | Air Bags |
More from Audi: all Audi models · Audi VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi Q3 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2016 (28), 2018 (26), 2020 (66), 2022 (34) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Q3 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Audi Q3?
Electrical System, with 64 complaints across 11 model years.
How many recalls does the Audi Q3 have?
19 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.